Make Decisions, Not Resolutions
When the New Year rolls around, the jokes and humor about unattainable resolutions come along. A new year seems to signal new life, a new you, a fresh start, so people use that opportunity to change... or try to. A common problem in our society is these resolutions are rarely carried out. They usually lose their appeal after a few weeks. Then, people tend to beat themselves up about failing at their goal, they become disheartened and lose confidence in their ability to endure and persist.
The thing is, people go about this the wrong way. In the wise words of Thomas Edison, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." So, try again. Maybe a resolution to eliminate processed sugar from your diet, or to lose a given amount of weight was too big of an undertaking. Maybe, instead of making these grand life changes, we can make regular, smaller changes to our everyday lifestyle that will have a larger effect in the long-run.
My dad used to teach us about SMART goals. Make goals that are specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and timely.
Specific goals involve a game plan, with numbers to help you, and a very direct end result. Rather than saying "my goal is to be healthy" or "my goal is to pass all my classes," a more specific goal would be "to eat regular servings of fruits and veggies" or "to study every weekday in order to get A's in my classes." These goals can be measured by daily serving amounts, or amount of time studying each day. In order to attain your smart goal, make an action plan, one that you will be able to incorporate into your life right now. For example, going with the previous goals, plan a specific time each week to shop for fruits and veggies, then make a meal plan to incorporate them into your diet. And, you can block out time each day set aside only for studying. Please, don't make goals that are completely out of your limits. And make a short range goal that can be achieved soon, so you can feel good about yourself and have more motivation and confidence int the next goals you set.
A few years ago, I wanted to make daily journaling a habit. I didn't wait for New Years to come, I started right in the middle of October. One thing that helped me immensely was the saying "21 days to make or break a habit." I made a chart with 21 boxes, and set it by my bed, then would check a box after each successful journaling day. Since I planned to journal every night, it was easy to incorporate it into my preexisting routine.
I have used this approach with many other habits, including regular Bible study, remembering to take medications, and other life changes.
The main thing to remember, is that you don't need to wait to make changes in your life, just go for it! And if it doesn't work out, try again with a different approach. Find a system that works for you and use it to become the best you can be. Don't worry if you aren't perfect.
Rather than joining in the rat race of unachievable New Year's resolutions, make changes whenever you feel inspired to do so. Make your life an ever-changing, organic flow of positive changes and improvements.
The thing is, people go about this the wrong way. In the wise words of Thomas Edison, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." So, try again. Maybe a resolution to eliminate processed sugar from your diet, or to lose a given amount of weight was too big of an undertaking. Maybe, instead of making these grand life changes, we can make regular, smaller changes to our everyday lifestyle that will have a larger effect in the long-run.
My dad used to teach us about SMART goals. Make goals that are specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and timely.
Specific goals involve a game plan, with numbers to help you, and a very direct end result. Rather than saying "my goal is to be healthy" or "my goal is to pass all my classes," a more specific goal would be "to eat regular servings of fruits and veggies" or "to study every weekday in order to get A's in my classes." These goals can be measured by daily serving amounts, or amount of time studying each day. In order to attain your smart goal, make an action plan, one that you will be able to incorporate into your life right now. For example, going with the previous goals, plan a specific time each week to shop for fruits and veggies, then make a meal plan to incorporate them into your diet. And, you can block out time each day set aside only for studying. Please, don't make goals that are completely out of your limits. And make a short range goal that can be achieved soon, so you can feel good about yourself and have more motivation and confidence int the next goals you set.
A few years ago, I wanted to make daily journaling a habit. I didn't wait for New Years to come, I started right in the middle of October. One thing that helped me immensely was the saying "21 days to make or break a habit." I made a chart with 21 boxes, and set it by my bed, then would check a box after each successful journaling day. Since I planned to journal every night, it was easy to incorporate it into my preexisting routine.
I have used this approach with many other habits, including regular Bible study, remembering to take medications, and other life changes.
The main thing to remember, is that you don't need to wait to make changes in your life, just go for it! And if it doesn't work out, try again with a different approach. Find a system that works for you and use it to become the best you can be. Don't worry if you aren't perfect.
Rather than joining in the rat race of unachievable New Year's resolutions, make changes whenever you feel inspired to do so. Make your life an ever-changing, organic flow of positive changes and improvements.
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